McAteer concerned about health cuts

SDLP Newry councillor Kevin McAteer has rallied in support of his colleague and SDLP Health spokesperson Fearghal McKinney MLA who said that an avalanche of cuts to health services across the north will fundamentally undermine public confidence in a budget which it was claimed would protect frontline services.
Speaking to Newry Times, Cllr McAteer said, ‘‘These cuts are a betrayal of the public. There has been no consultation with the public or trade unions and I am disgusted by this.
“We are now in a situation where nurses are being overworked, will not receive the pay increase that they deserve, and frontline services in the form of hospital beds are being slashed at will.
“We were told that frontline services in the Department of Health would be protected. That is clearly not the case. This is a budget that will savage the health service and marks the beginning of a series of seismic cuts that will change the face of healthcare delivery in the north for the worse.
“The SDLP voted against these cuts and my concern now is how they will affect Daisy Hill. I will be meeting with my colleague Fearghal McKinney MLA to discuss how we can help services locally such as Daisy Hill.
McAteer added, “Furthermore I will be in contact with the Southern Trust in order to offer my help on how we can protect daisy hill hospital.”

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